Top-extension step-ladder



v No Models v M. GARTRBLL.

- TOP EXTENSIONSTBP LADDER. NO. 272,540. Patented Peb.20,1883.

N. PErERs. Pmw-mhu n lwr. Withington. n. c,

UNITED STAT S PATENT OFFICE.

MARY G. GARTRELL, OF INDIANOLA, IOWA.

TOP-EXTENSION STEP-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 272,540, dated February20,1883.

Application filed October 5, 1882.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MARY G. GARTRELL, ofIndianola, in the county of Warren and State of Iowa, have invented anImproved Top-Extension Step-Ladder, of which the following is aspecification.

The object of my invention is to provide a portable platform forsupporting a pail of water or bucket of paint or paste at the top of astep-ladder in such a manner that a person can safely stand upon a levelwith such elevated material, and advantageously use my step-ladder andplatform in washing, painting, and papering walls and ceilings inbuildings.

It consists in forming, arranging, and combining a detachable andadjustable platform and a folding step-ladder, as hereinafter fully setforth, in such a manner that the complete device can be used for all thecommon purposes of a step-ladder, and also for the purpose of supportingmaterials and tools upon a broad and elevated base, upon which a personcan turn about to reach in various directions, and to operate upon anextended area of surface without changing the position of the combinedladder and elevated platform, and without getting off and on repeatedlyfor materials and tools.

Figure 1 of my accompanying drawings is a halt-section of mystep-ladder, showing the adjustable platform in position as required foruse. Fig. 2 is a perspective view, showing it folded as required forstoring and shipping. Together these figures clearly illustrate theconstruction and operation of my complete invention.

a a are the side pieces that support the transverse step-pieces.

b b are legs hinged to the top ends of the side pieces a.

c c are stays pivoted to the side pieces a and flexibly connected withthe legs by means of bolts d and slots or bridlesfin the legs, or in anysuitable way, so as to allow thelegs to be folded flat against the sidepieces or extended at pleasure. An ti-friction rollers placed on thebolts d will prevent friction and facilitate the adjustment of thebraces as required in folding and unfolding the legs I).

g is a cross-piece fixed to the top ends of th side pieces a by means ofnails or screws, or in any suitable way.

(No model.)

the inner sides and central portions of the main side pieces a in such amanner that they can be readily folded between the top portions of thesaid pieces a or extended as required to support my adjustable platformin a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 1.

i is an iron rod or shaft, detachably placed in bearings formed in orattached to the top ends of the side pieces h. w

k is a platform hinged to the rod 1' by means of iron bars l, to whichit is fixed, or in any suitable way, so that it can be folded downwardagainst the side bars it. Each barl extends beyond the end of the boardor platform k, and terminates in an eye or hook, m, to en-' gage a boltor catch, a, fixed to the cross-piece g, for the purpose of securing thefree end of the complete platform to the cross-piece and top of theladder whenever desired.

1' is a cord fixed to the center and free end of the hinged platform It,and passed up through a perforation in the cross-piece g, and fromthence over the platform to be attached to the shaft 0', or some portionof the hinged end ofthe platform, for the purpose of aiding a person ontop of the ladder in lifting the platform from a pendent into ahorizontal position, as required in adjusting it for use.

In the practical use of my step-ladder for common purposes, I detach thehinged platform, or allow it to hang down against the pivoted section inthe top portion of the ladder. To use it for supporting a bucket orother vessels and tools on a level with the top of the ladder, Ifirstascend to the top and stand upon the cross-piece g. I then unfoldthe pivoted section of the ladder and seize the cord 1 and lift the freeend of the pendent platform, and connect it with the cross-piece g bymeans of the eyes or hooks m on the ends of the bars I and the bolts orlatches n, so that it will be in afixed horizontal position and on alevel with the fixed top 9 of the ladder, and adapted to serve as abroad base, upon which I can safely step and move about in washing,painting, or papering walls and ceilings.

Buckets, materials, and tools can be placed upon the platform, asrequired, by an assistant, or elevated from the floor by means of a hookor grapple.

I am aware that platforms have been adjustably connected with longfire-ladders and carpenters ladders; but forming a hinged section havingsteps in the top portion of a portable folding step-ladder, to carry andsupport a hinged platform, and to thereby adapt the complete step-ladderto be used for all the common purposes of a step-ladder, and also as anelevated platform whenever desired, is novel and greatly advantageous.

My ladders, havingplatforms ofproportional size, may vary in length andwidth as desired.

I claim as my invention 7 1. In combination with a step-ladder, apivoted section in its top portion having a series of steps, a hingedplatform, and fastening devices adapted to connect the said platform ina horizontal plane with the top of the ladder, 20 substantially as andfor the purposes set forth. 2. The improved step-ladder composed of theside pieces a, having fixed steps 1 2 3, and a fixed top, 9, the hingedlegs b, the adjustable braces c, the auxiliary pivoted side pieces 2 h,having fixed steps 4 5 6, the hinged platform 70 l m, the fasteningdevices a, and the cord 1", substantially as shown and described, tooperate in the manner set forth, for the purposes specified.

MARY G. GABTRELL. Witnesses:

H. G. BONEBRAKE, U. B. GARTRELL.

